Sexual discrimination in South Korea - Research Paper Example

   Sexual Discrimination in South Korea Introduction Discrimination refers to the organized refusal of a numberof groups’ or people total human rights because of what they believe or who they are or represent. Discrimination is an attack on the view of human rights. Also, a person who discriminates can easily repudiate a person’s human rights if they perceive them as non human or less than human beings. Sexual discrimination entails treating a person adversely because of the individual’s sex or sexual composition. In addition, sexual discrimination can entail handling a person less favorably because of his association with a group or organization that is connected with individuals of a specified sex. Laws of different countries prohibit discrimination when it appears in any aspect of employment, for example, conditions of employment, hiring, fringe benefits, firing, lay off, pay, training, job assignments, and job assignments (Dividio 334). This paper will look at sexual discrimination in South Korea. Sexual discrimination is also advanced by sexism. Sexism refers to the view that one person sex is enhanced than another person’s sex. Arguments that advance sexism are usually found on alleged and real dissimilarities between males and females. Moreover, widespread sexist points of view emerge from conventional stereotypes that stipulate gender roles. Sexism also propagates in personal views as well as instances that have an impact in the existence of individuals of another sex. For instance, a person looking for work may encounter discriminatory appointing activities, or if employed, unequal treatment or compensation compared to workers who are of the opposite sex (Macionis and Linda 298). In addition, sexual harassment is also a form of sexism or sexual discrimination. In contrast, sexual harassment is a more emotionally impactive, expressive, and extreme form of sexism. In all the countries of the world, it is illegal to harass an individual because of the individual’s sex. Harassment can entail unwelcome sexual advances, physical or verbal harassment of a sexual form, sexual harassment, and requests for sexual favors. Nonetheless, sexual harassment can also comprise offensive statements about an individual’s sex. For instance, it is unlawful to harass a female member of the population by making unpleasant statements about females in general (MacKinnon 121). The harasser and the victim can be from either sex, or also, the harasser and the victim can be of identical sex. Although laws of different countries do not outlaw cases that are not extremely serious, offhand statements, or restrained teasing, harassment is unlawful when it is extremely severe or frequent that it establishes an offensive or hostile environment or, in an employment situation, when it results in an undesirable employment verdict, for example, the victim being demoted or fired. Moreover, the harasser may be a victim’s customer, victim’s supervisor, or client. In addition, sexual discrimination can be highlighted in employment practices or policies. An employment practice or policy that affects all people in an organization, regardless of sex, can be unlawful if it has a detrimental consequence on the employment of individuals of a sex and is not essential for the functioning of the organization or is not related to the activities of the job or organization. In most cases, sexual discrimination at work places is carried out by men rather than women, but it may also be likely at instances for these illegal acts to be carried out by people from either sexes. For example, sexual discrimination can comprise sexual harassment when a superior, who is a woman, sexually harasses a man subordinate employee against his desires and when a superior man sexually harasses a woman who is a subordinate employee against her wish (MacKinnon 123). Past South Korea approved the Convention on the eradication of all modes of discrimination against women in 1984. The customary patriarchal principle has been in existence, in the South Korean community, for a long time, for example, the South Korean family values accepted discrimination between the first son and the others, husband and wife, and man and woman. During this time, females had to transfer the register of their families to the right of the family of their husbands after getting married. This was because of the authoritative and male dominant family system. In addition, the paternal lineage system made females without male children suffer material and emotional difficulties in their households. In addition, South Korean women filled only auxiliary, simple, and low waged jobs and their wages and salaries are low. In addition, discrimination saw women laborers take complete responsibility for childcare, pregnancy, and child birth because of lack of facilities for child care and maternity protection. The result was an increase in stereotyped notions of gender roles (Williams and Deborah 46). These meant while males are earning money females should remain home and take care of house activities, and can only be employed if they are single. A survey conducted in 2001 showed that women in South Korea had a literacy level of 67%, less than their male counterparts. Many females in South Korea had little or no access to informational opportunities. Nonetheless, those females who had the opportunity to pursue their education did it exceptionally well than males who have easy access to educational activities. In addition, the South Korean Ministry of Education had publicized that the procedures of the law against discrimination should be implemented in all public institutions. In addition, the Ministry had declared punishment to any teacher or instructor who mades discriminatory remarks regarding a person from any sex (Dividio 347). The Ministry of Education had also given illustrations of remarks that may be considered discriminatory. These statements related to ones that encouraged female students strive for decent marriage unions instead focusing on careers after graduation, stress leadership of males in society, and emphasize traditional roles of women in families. Present Currently, working males in South Korea earn 37% more than what working females earn. A high percentage of this percentage is attributed to Discrimination. In addition, South Korean females encounter social demands to leave their jobs when they are pregnant or have children. This makes it difficult for South Korean women to maintain their career ambitions. Also, a number of significant South Korean organizations do not women or females in their senior ranks (Dividio 337). This initiates an apparent opening. If the talent of women is undervalued, it should be relatively cheap and plentiful. South Korea is an ultimate setting for gender discrimination in the work place. The South Korean education system is significantly meritocratic, but the work environment is sexist. There are many females who graduate and go into the job market every year. Nonetheless, the careers of South Korean female graduates are shadowed by careers of males who do not have extra capabilities. The Confucian notion of male dominance and the history of stout patriarchal social customs in South Korea are presumed to play a part in the organized patterns of discrimination faced by women in a number of situations. South Korean women are also required to undertake most household activities and perform a high number of sex selective abortions. In addition, women employees are more probable to engage in non-permanent jobs than their male counterparts (Dividio 343). These employment opportunities are both unstable and low paying. Also, women in South Korea hold a lower economic position suffer from chronic diseases and have a higher rate of depression than their male equivalents. Also, Women in South Korea still put up with solemn disparities in school enrolment and rates of literacy. Real female participation in the political arena indicates females’ contribution in the process of decision making. Female participation in the political process entails activities, for example, voting and vying for leadership positions. There are a few women who are included in the South Korean national assembly and other political offices, for example, the cabinet. In addition, despite the institutional and legislative reforms that have been advanced to deal with customary hurdles against females’ social progress, the level of participation of females in political activities remains the lowest in the world. Females’ groups have shown tremendous attempts to increase the participation of females in the political process, but the outcomes have not been productive (Macionis and Linda 301). The reasons for the low women participation in the political process have been numerous, as are the strategies needed to conquer the situation. The minimal level of women participation in the political process in South Korea is largely because of the customary nature of the society, which continues to consider political activities as a male dominated area. As a result, the political parties dominated by male individuals are not accommodative of female candidates. Despite parties making extra attempts recruit many female members, the electoral system is still working against women. In addition, laws to assist facilitate and enhance the political participation of women have not been adequate in taking care of women’s needs. In conclusion, according to information gained from the Korean Institute of Women in Politics, females are naive in their political awareness and have been uninterested in politics. South Korea’s conventional customs make females subordinate to males, economically and socially. In spite, the enforcing of the equal opportunity law in 1987, few females occupy executive positions in organizations, and sexual discrimination in the work environment is still an issue. Nevertheless, the national assembly of South Korea has amended the equal opportunity law to incorporate stiffer punishments to be inflicted on organizations that discriminate against female members of the population in promoting and hiring employees. In addition, the new law gives the Presidential Commission on women power to scrutinize sexual discrimination instances in the work environment. An organization found guilty of engaging in sexual discrimination may suffer fines of up to 5 million won and have its details broadcasted in the newspaper. Future Additionally, the new law provides for a national fund to assist victims in getting legal assistance. Nonetheless, a number of government organizations prefer employing people with military experience these applicants are mostly men. This highlights the persistent legal hurdles against members of the female population. The constitutional court judged that government organizations, which employed people with military experience, discriminated disabled individuals and women and were not constitutional. Nevertheless, females have complete access to educational activities and social attitudes and mores are changing slowly. For instance, the service and military academies have continued to develop opportunities for women and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs have advanced its attempts to enhance employment opportunities. Violence against females is still an issue in South Korea, and a number of women’s rights groups assert that such violent activities, as well as spousal abuse, has gotten worse with the current deterioration of the economy. A study conducted in 1997 discovered that over 30 percent of families had encountered occurrences of domestic violence in that year. The government of South Korea passed the Prevention of Domestic Violence Victim Protection Act, in 1998, which classify domestic violence as a staid crime. Law enforcement agencies can direct offenders to stay apart from their victims for a number of months and have appointments with court designated counselors or have them put on probation. This law demands law enforcement agencies to react instantly to any report involving domestic violence. A number of cases during a time of attempted rapes and sexual harassments allegedly executed by known individuals have raised awareness of these issues. Current reports have indicated that most rapes and sexual harassment cases are not reported because of the stigma linked with being a rape victim (Brownmiller 480). Nevertheless, activities of women’s groups have enhanced awareness of the significance of prosecuting and reporting rape cases, in addition to, offenses, for example, sexual harassment in the work environment. According to groups that cater for human rights, cases comprising rape or sexual harassment are not prosecuted, and executors, if found guilty, frequently get extremely imperceptible sentences. Additionally, in 1999, the South Korean national assembly passed a law to deal with sexual harassment in the work environment. This law asserts that organizations may receive fines of up to 3 million won for not penalizing an offender or not taking measures to avoid sexual harassment in the work environment. In addition, the law demands organizations to create sexual harassment complaint bases and prohibits companies from disciplining workers from presenting their issues to external organizations. Moreover, the Family Law that was established in 1991 permits a female to have significant relationships with her children following a divorce, allows females to be the head of the family, and recognizes the right of a woman to a part of the couple’s possessions. Although the new law gives women the option of divorcing, as well as victims of domestic violence, the disgrace of divorce remains stout. Also, there is minimal private or government help for divorced women. These issues and women having less employment chances than men and finding it difficult remarrying, make several females remain in relationships that are abusive. Additionally, the South Korean government has put up structures for abused women and has added the number of childcare institutions (MacKinnon 127). These measures have provided women in abusive relationships with additional options. Nonetheless, women’s rights groups assert that these measures do not provide efficient ways of tackling problems women face. South Korea is also presumed to be a transit zone for trafficking women and children into the domestic servitude and sex trade. Conclusion Discrimination against women and girls in South Korea is a harsh truth. Discrimination causes a large number of personal disasters, which cause loss of capability for the whole country. In addition, surveys indicate a direct association between the attitude of a nation towards the members of the female population and its economical and social progress (Macionis and Linda 314). In addition, the place of women in South Korea is essential to the health of the society. It is also unfortunate that female children are the most vulnerable against the horror of sexual discrimination. Also, as of the close of 2008, less than 60% of South Korean females formed part of the work population, placing the nation third last in the rankings. It is tough for females to raise children and compete in the workforce at the same time. Moreover, women who are forced to choose between having professional careers and raising children opt for pursuing their careers. This shows gender discrimination causes a decline in the country’s birth rate. The problem of discrimination cannot be dealt with by simply providing helpful inducements to females, both who have children and those who do not have children. The entire South Korea community should provide opportunities and privileges to all women and address their needs in an equal way as men. Women and girls should be allowed to get education, work and compete with men without nervousness of discrimination. In addition, in the work place, women should be given identical opportunities in employment and promotion (Macionis and Linda 342). The South Korean work force is decreasing as the population of senior individuals is increasing. A number of ways to tackle these problems should be encouraged, for example, women should be encouraged to participate in education, politics, employment, and compete in all areas that are considered male domains. Works Cited Brownmiller, S. Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape. New York: Penguin Books, 1992. Print. Dividio, J. F. The SAGE Handbook of Prejudice, Stereotyping and Discrimination. California: Sage, 2010. Print. Macionis, G., and Linda, J. Sociology. 7th ed. Toronto: Pearson, 2010. Print. MacKinnon, C. A. Sexual Harassment of Working Women: A Case of Sex Discrimination. New York: Yale University Press, 1979. Print. Williams, J. E., and Deborah, L. B. Measuring Sex Stereotypes: A Multinational Study. California: Sage, 1990. Print. Read More